OLYMPIC GAMES: México faces Brazil for the Gold medal without Giovani Dos Santos
Vida en el Valle
(Published Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 12:56PM)
LONDON LONDON - México will face favored Brazil in Saturday's gold medal soccer match without forward Giovani dos Santos at the Olympic Games. Dos Santos is not expected to recuperate back to health in time to face the Brazilians, who defeated South Korea 3-0. Dos Santos suffered a right hamstring injury in Tuesday's 3-1 semifinal win over Japan. México's Soccer Federation announced that, after an MRI scan, Dos Santos will be sidelined for about 2 weeks.
México defeated Japan 3-1 for a spot in the Olympic Games soccer final. Mexico plays either Brazil or South Korea for the gold medal on Saturday.
Luis Fernando Tena, México's head soccer coach at the Olympic Games, says El Tricolor players are spirited.
México scored a 4-2 comeback victory over Senegal, thanks to Giovani Dos Santos and Héctor Herrera. Last Saturday's quarterfinal match, which was played the famed Wembley Stadium, has revived the Mexicans.
"My team is playing with a very high spirit. Everyone is playing better mentally and physically," Tena said before last Tuesday's match against Japan.
"We're expecting a very big experience at Wembley Stadium. We should take advantage of the opportunity."
México, who failed to qualify to the Beijing Olympic Games four years ago, has not made the semifinals since 1968.
Toluca Diablos Rojos maintains lead
MÉXICO CITY -- Toluca's Diablos Rojos defeated club León FC 2-1 to stay atop in México's Apertura tournament.
Lucas Silva de Oliveira and Sinha each scored for the Diablos, while Eisner Loboa found the net for León.
Toluca is the only team to remain undefeated after three rounds of play.
Other matches, Tigres finished in a scoreless tie with Atlas to remain in second place. Club América tied at 2-2 with Atlante, and Guadalajara also tied at 0-0 with Cruz Azul. See the Scoreboard for the latest standings.
Los Merengues beat Santos in WFC
LAS VEGAS - Mexico's Santos Laguna lost 2-1 to Real Madrid at the World Soccer (Football) Challenge last Saturday.
Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira each scored for the Spain's Real Madrid, while Cristian Suarez scored for the Mexican club. The Spaniards scored a 5-1 win over host Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 2.
El Tri fans await friendly rival
MEXICO CITY - Jurgen Klinsmann will lead the United States national soccer to a CONCACAF friendly against El Tricolor on Aug. 15.
Over 100,000 fans are expected at Estadio Azteca to support the match between the two rivals.
Manteca's Guerrero wins Jr boxing title
MESQUITE, Nevada -- Matthew Guerrero, 16 and a junior at Manteca High School, won his third consecutive Junior National Golden Gloves title on July 21.
Guerrero, who trains in under the tutelage of Felipe Martínez in Lathrop, defeated Gabriel Azua (Lodi) in the 125-pound division.
"I knew it was my last year in juniors, so I was really trying to come out with the championship," said Guerrero, who won all four of his bouts.
